2 May, 2023
View updates on the 2023 Hopkinton Annual Town Meeting on this page! You can view the Annual Town Meeting on HCAM TV (Comcast Channel 8, Verizon Channel 30) or our Youtube page!
Day 1 Notes:
Motion to take DPW related Articles first - Passed
Consent Agenda - Passed Majority Vote (Find Here!)
-Consent Agenda includes Articles 2,3,8,9,10,11,24,30,37 and 39
Day 2
Article 26: Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces - Passed 2/3rd Majority
Article 27: Site Plan Review Rooftop Solar Exemption - Passed Unanimously
*Article 28: Zoning District Change - 2 West Elm Street and 0 West Elm Street - Article Fails 2/3rd Majority
-Change plot of land from Residential 8 District to Business District (Accessors Map R23, Block 46)
-Rezoning would not disallow a church since churches are allowed in all districts.
Article 29: Zoning District Change - South Street and Hayward Street - (Vote for no action: Fails)
Motion: To vote on Article as set forth - Unanimously Fails
-Petitioner and Planning Board recommend No Action
-Change from Residential Lake Front District to Rural Business District
Article 30: Housekeeping - Delete Definition - Passed Unanimously
Article 31: Amend Meeting Minutes Bylaw - Passed Unanimously
-Changes 40 calendar days to 30 calendar days to set meeting minutes.
*Article 32: Amend Leash Law - (Standing Vote: Article Fails 185 Yes-208 No)
Amendment to Article - Include Dog Park as Excluded from limitations.
Vote on Amendment: (Vote: Simple Majority Passes)
-Any dog not on the premises of its owner or keeper shall be leashed and curbed, provided that the said leashing or curbing shall not apply to hunting, guide, therapy dogs and dogs under direct command of it's owner or keeper or to dogs used in law enforcement.
-Violators shall be subject to find in amount of $50 or the minimum amount permitted by Section 173A of Chapter 140 of the General Laws.
-Changes Redemption fee from $15 to $25.
*Article 33: Short Term Rental Bylaw - Fails Majority Vote
-Establish a licensing process for the administration and enforcement of the short-term rental of residential property in the town of Hopkinton.
Motion to reconsider Article 28 - Fails Majority
*Article 34: Gun Club Indoor Shooting - Fails Majority
"Protect we the people, babies, animals and birds." from Noise Pollution of Gun Clubs, should practice firing gun shots indoor and stop noise pollution and make the Town of Hopkinton, enjoyable to every citizen, babies, animals and birds. (Citizens Petition)
Article 35: Street Acceptance - Foxhollow Road - Passed Unanimously
-Foxhollow Road, from Pond Street to end.
Amendment: To remove paragraph stating town harmless against claims arising from pesticide contamination.. - Fails Majority
Article 36: Street Acceptance - Box Mill Road - Passed Unanimously
Article 38: Solar Canopy Leases, Middle School and High School - Passed Unanimously
Motion to reconsider Article 37 - Fails 2/3rd approval
Article 40: Drainage Easement, 14 Hazel Road - Passed Unanimously
-Easement for installing drainage at EMC Park.
Article 46: Net Zero Resolution - Passed Simple Majority
-Town Counsel advises that Article is non-binding
*Article 47: Abolish Upper Charles Trail Committee and Establish Subcommittee - Standing Vote: Passed 158-61
-Vote to abolish Upper Charles Trail Committee and establish a subcommittee termed the Upper Charles Trail Subcommittee under the direction of the Coordination and Management Committee.
-Town Council: "Article would not be binding but would be more of an advisement".
Article 48: Upper Charles Trail Committee Spending, Segment 7 - Passed
The 2023 Annual Town Meeting has concluded!!
